New Zealand Classic Car 407, September/October 2026

We love bugs!
A bit of TLC that became a major restoration 
The 1302S, or ‘Super Beetle’ as it became known, was built for two years before it, too, was replaced by a further-enhanced Beetle, the 1303, continuing an amazing 65-year lineage for one of the World’s best-known shapes.
The world’s best-selling single-model vehicle, the VW Beetle, possibly established another record for the amount of controversy it has created since the inception of the Type 1.
In a meeting with Hitler in June 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was contracted to build a ‘People’s Car’ that could accommodate two adults and three children, was air-cooled and simple to maintain, and could cruise economically at moderate speed along Germany’s proposed new Autobahns.
Our feature car, a 1972 1302S ‘Super Beetle’, was found by Dave and Michelle Dickie in Mosgiel a few years back. It was a runner, but like most VWs of this age, it needed a little TLC. They were looking for a daily driver for Michelle when they first came upon the VW being sold locally on behalf of its owner.
“The owner offered it to his grandchildren, and they didn't want it, so he got the guy out at Mosgiel in the Mobil petrol station to sell it for him, and he put it on Trade Me for them. We never met the owner, and we were always dealing with the guy at the petrol station. We put a bid on it, and we were the only people that bid on it.”
Their bid was eventually successful eight years ago. Not knowing much of the history, in situations like that, it’s always a risk buying a car, but they were in for a bit of a surprise.
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, it features some of the Star Insure 2027 Calendar Competition contenders

To read a fully illustrated content rundowns of what is in this issue 407, head here to our NZ Classic Car website.

Ayrburn Classic 2027 Preview
It’s time to turn the Ayrburn Classic 2027 into a true celebration of classic motoring. Organisers are going all out this year to make it an unforgettable family event, building on this year’s outstanding success.
Motorsport Identities – Man on a mission-part 1
After five decades of motor racing, Tony Roberts shows little sign of slowing down, either on or off the racetrack. Together with a team of like-minded enthusiasts, he has shown that even in challenging times, the impossible just takes a little longer as the Thunder Ridge racing track takes shape. 
An interview with Andy Buchanan- Part 2
Gerard continues his interview with Andy Buchanan, and Gold Star success, then a change to the increasingly popular sports-car class and success, first with a beautiful Ferrari 250LM, capped off a stellar racing career in an awesome brute-force Elfin 400.
Mini-Fest: 1975 Morris Mini – The Fixer -Part 2
Vaughan Wilkinson’s old-school restoration philosophy is winning fans, one rescued classic at a time. In Part 2, our Mini-Fest series continues with Matthew Chamberlain's forgotten little family member finally receiving the love it deserves.
Mercedes-Benz 140 Years. 140 places, tour hits Auckland
The wheels of automotive history literally began to turn, and can you imagine being a passerby on German roads in 1888 and seeing this machine for the first time?
1955 Ford Thunderbird – Taking the long way home
There is no denying Trevor Toon is a dedicated classic car enthusiast. Some amazing cars end up in his garage. You never know what will turn up next!
His enthusiasm is infectious, and his story is about a 1955 Ford Thunderbird he acquired in 2024 while travelling to the United States to secure it.
1988 Toyota Starlet 1.3L XL
Starlet – not just a movie star!
Since the early days of the movies, and at least when the ‘talkies’ came out in the late 1920s, Starlet meant a young actress with aspirations to become a star, a Hollywood Starlet or the feminine of the word ‘star’ as in ‘movie star’.
Reborn Classics: Low ‘N’ Slow
Definition: Lead Sled (noun, slang) is a customised classic car, typically built from a 1930s to 1950s American sedan, that has been heavily modified with body filler (originally lead) and lowered close to the ground.
Younger magazine readers have been asking us to feature their take on what defines a classic car. All are exceptional and expensive rebuilds with one commonality: they are not quite how they came from the factory! Our response has been, why not! We bring you our new section catering to these reborn classics.
To France with flair
For 25 years, the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille has attracted car enthusiasts from all over the world. The Rallye celebrates a lifestyle of elegance and a passion for collecting and driving performance and classic cars, with one important cachet: ladies-only!
Kits and Pieces
New Zealand has a history of innovative automotive designs, often driven by the need for viable local solutions to challenges facing the farming industry.
Trailmaker was a farm utility vehicle built in Cambridge between 1965 and ’71, targeting farmers looking for a cheap, reliable vehicle capable of handling steep, grassy, occasionally muddy slopes of the local countryside.
John Hardy Chronicles part 2
John Hardy continues his fascinating memories of his grandfather's and father’s involvement in the motor industry and sifts through the puzzle of their early motor racing exploits in the Auckland region.
Studebaker’s Hawk set the bar-was it enough?
Timing and money were everything back in the swinging ‘60s. Inevitably, Studebaker lacked the resources to compete with the Big Three and the ‘Pony Car’ onslaught. During the ‘60s, the term ‘Pony Car’ emerged with the introduction of the Ford Mustang and the cars that followed, such as the Chevy Camaro and the Dodge Challenger. The Pony Car evolved, over time, into the ‘Muscle Car’.
Market Report: Lotus Excel
The Lotus back catalogue is chock-full with greats, but one which has flown under the radar for much of its life is the Excel.
The Excel’s origins can be traced back to Colin Chapman’s desire to take his brand as a builder of lightweight kit and sports cars to a more upmarket plain, beginning with the Elan+2, then the wedge-shaped Elite, and Eclat, and culminating in the Elite Excel and finally, the Excel.
Ben’s Next Gen’ classics – By Ben Selby
Porsche 911 (992/2 GT3
It’s an almost dead cert that any new Porsche 911 with the ‘GT3' emblem will by default stand tall on the coveted ‘future classics’ rostrum.
The 911 GT3 was born from Porsche’s appetite to give customers the chance to experience the closest thing possible to a road-going racing car, while continuing a line which can be traced back to the iconic, pared-down and stripped-back 911 2.7 RS from 1973.
Speed, style, and legacy – à la vôtre!
The 15th edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique was held on 24 - 26 April. James grabs a glass of ‘champers’ and reconnects with some old acquaintances, marvelling at the spectacle that is Monaco Historique!
Looking Back: The legend of Longford-part 2
Gerard Richards continues his pilgrimage to Australia’s fastest and most dangerous road circuit, which thrived during the exciting racing years from 1953 to 1968. This asphalt circuit in Tasmania’s central farming region has intrigued Gerard for more than 50 years.
Motorman
MOTAT, where history comes to life!
Donn Anderson first went to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland in 1963 and was back again in 2026 after several visits over the years to find what was new and what was old.
Classic Trial New Zealand – Part 2
Where consistency is king on the racetrack, a part of motorsport is making a comeback with a growing following.
21 years of vintage caravans
The Geraldine Classic Caravan Club celebrated its 21st Birthday at the TOP 10 Holiday Park in Geraldine on May 31, so we headed along to check it out.
Museums of New Zealand
Stewart's Classic Cars
Anyone familiar with John Stewart, or who has even briefly met him, knows he is deeply passionate about cars and preserving New Zealand’s heritage. It is an inspiring story of grit, determination and the result of an intense desire to achieve one’s goals.
Classic Northern Racing
Mention Formula 5000 in racing circles, and there’s an enthusiastic response with memories of the roar of V8 engines and nostalgia.
Southern Classic Motorsport Report
Barry Robinson Memorial Rally
Hayden Paddon and co-driver  Jared Hudson had a decisive win in their Hyundai i120N Rall2 car in the Barry Robinson Memorial Rally held at Wyndham on Saturday 18 July.
Price On
My 62 years’ experience in buying and selling classic vehicles
Back when I first contemplated buying a car, there was no internet, no specialist valuation experts, just car dealers!